Research
The department research encompasses all aspects of data analysis and mathematical modelling that surround the world of bioeningeers. This entails fundamental research to develop new methods and insights as well as applied research for concrete applications. The applications are usually the result of a multidisciplinary approach bringing bio-engineers and mathematicians together. Application domains range from water purification and raw material recovery to pharmaceutical production processes to citizen science, ecological studies and the processing of large amounts of molecular biological data for medical and agricultural research.
Professors of the department bring together expertises that can be devided into three main streams that are presented below, together with the research groups that shape our department. For more information about a specific research group, follow the link.
Biobix
The BIOBIX lab of Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics focuses on the analysis of high-throughput “omics” data, particularly generated by second and third generation sequencing or mass spectrometry. With a focus on development of innovative data-analytical methodologies to solve complex biological questions, related to allele-specific expression (imprinting, eQTLs, allelic imbalance), the aging genome, epitranscriptomics, telomere biology and micropeptide biology. And Applied (epi)genomics, transcriptomics, translatomics and proteomics research for cancer and aging studies, but also with applications in e.g. neuronal development and crop protection.
- Principal Investigators: Tim De Meyer & Wim Van Criekinge
- Website: biobix.ugent.be
Biomath
BIOMATH is an interdisciplinary team which develops and applies high quality mathematical models and methodologies for the analysis and optimization of various (industrial) bio-processes. The primary focus is on mechanistic models which are used to support a variety of priority sectors ranging from wastewater treatment and resource recovery to pharmaceutical manufacturing, ecology and bioprocess technology. By committing itself to a wide range of research questions in different fields of application, BIOMATH strives to expand its know-how continuously to offer high-quality solutions. BIOMATH has gained expertise in the fields of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), population balance modeling (PBM) and bio-kinetics.
- Principal Investigator: Ingmar Nopens
- Website: biomath.ugent.be
BioML
The BIO-ML research group of Ghent University focusses on the development of machine learning methods for the life sciences. Specific research areas of interest are multi-target prediction, sequence learning, time series analysis, uncertainty quantification and probabilistic models
- Principal Investigator: Willem Waegeman
- Website: bioml.ugent.be
BionamiX
BionamiX aims at developing mathematical and computational models for biosystems to get a more fundamental insight in those systems, or to apply them in industrial or governmental (policy) contexts. We are specialized in the following topics: Ecological models, Epidemic models (Covid19, Dengue), Cellular systems and tissues (tumors, organoids ...), Discrete matter dynamics (granular matter, particles). We are interested in the dynamics and spatial aspects in these systems.
- Principal Investigator: Jan Baetens & Paul Van Liedekerke
- Website: bionamix.ugent.be
BioStat
has a broad expertise in the theory and methods of statistical data analysis and its life sciences applications. In this era of ever growing quantities of data, the use of statistical methodology extends across a plethora of application domains, be this environmental monitoring, food processing or climate studies. The group studies applications within the current trends of industry 4.0 (where multiple sensors are being used to monitor the quality of industrial products), artificial intelligence (where software is being developed to make machines smart) and citizen science (where volunteers can contribute to scientific research).
- Principal Investigator: Stijn Luca
- Website: biostat.ugent.be
BioVism
The Biovism lab focuses on the automated extraction of information from visual and multi-modal sensors and its embedding in computational models, with applications in the life sciences. Biovism is part of the research unit on Knowledge-based Systems of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering at Ghent University. Researchers at the lab develop new methodologies in the fields of computer vision, multi-modal data analysis and applied mathematics that allow to extract and fuse information from heterogeneous and unstructured data sources. Their main motivation is to improve the performance of computational models in the animal, pharmaceutical and environmental sciences.
- Principal Investigator: Stijn Luca
- Principal Investigator: Jan Verwaeren
- Website: biovism.ugent.be
Kermit
The research unit KERMIT (Knowledge-based Systems) adopts a holistic view on mathematical and computational modelling, acknowledging the needs of our modern information society with a particular focus on the applied biological sciences. It strives to keep a unique balance between theoretical developments and practical applications, a strategy that has proven particularly successful, regarding the output, visibility and recognition of the team. It plays a pioneering role by promoting existing as well as developing new methods in a broad range of disciplines.
- Principal Investigator: Bernard De Baets & Michiel Stock
- Website: kermit.ugent.be